MONTE VISTA — The Monte Vista Pirates run-ruled Dawson, 15-5, to capture the CHSAA 2A Region 2 title and, more importantly, advanced to the elite eight of the state playoffs. 

“I’m proud of this group as a whole, the way we fight, we love each other, we stick together,” said MVHS coach Luke Bradshaw following the victory. “This group is really special. They have been to the state tournament. They have played in some big games. This group has it all. They are really special. When we are playing together, there is nothing we can’t do.” 

The undefeated and second-seeded Pirates (23-0) defeated No. 31 Hoehne 8-2 to open their regional. MVHS pounded out 12 hits in the win and scored at least one run in every inning. The Famers scored one run in the third and fifth innings and were limited to five hits. 

No. 15 Dawson earned its spot in the final with an 18-7 drubbing of No. 18 South Fork. 

In the regional final, Monte Vista was led at the plate by junior Judah Howe and on the mound by sophomore pitcher Landon Sanchez, who earned the complete-game 4.5-inning mercy-rule victory. 

The Pirates tallied nine hits in the contest. 

“At the plate, I thought our approach was great,” Bradshaw said. “We came up with some big swings, the ball flew over the fence, which is great, but even before that, we had great ABs (at bats) just getting guys on base and came up with some big swings at the right time. Really nice, timely hitting.” 

Howe went 2-for-3 and on a full-count belted a no-doubt grand slam homer over the centerfield fence in the first inning for a 4-0 lead. He added a rare inside-the-park grand slam that was part of a 6-run third inning for the Pirates.  

In the bottom of the first inning, Chayse Bouet and Azariah Hurtado each singled, and Manny Jiron walked to load the bases for Monte Vista. Bouet and Hurtado, along with Domyon Naranjo, Kobe Jiron, and Kelby Mondragon, are part of a core group of senior leaders. 

“There is probably not a more experienced group out there. This senior class has played probably 100 varsity games altogether,” Bradshaw said. 

The Pirates never trailed in regional play. 

The Mustangs scored two runs each in the second and third innings and one in the top of the fifth inning on six hits. 

After seeing their lead cut in half with two runs in the top of the second, the Pirates answered with more timely hitting that led to a 5-run second inning. 

Michael Hensley, Mondragon, and Kobe Jiron reached to load the bases in the bottom half of the second inning. Bouet singled to right field to score Hensley and Mondragon. 

Hurtado cleared the bases with a three-run home run over the centerfield fence to push Monte Vista’s lead to 9-2 and chased Dawson's starting pitcher, Darren Sebek, from the game. 

Graham Bernstein hit a two-run home run in the top of the third inning for the Mustangs. 

Monte Vista’s Sanchez ended the third inning with one of his seven strikeouts and was touched up for six hits. 

“Landon does a great job on the mound for us. We know he is going to give us good stuff each time he is out there,” Bradshaw said of his right-hander. 

In the bottom of the third with two outs and the bases loaded, Howe hit a shot to right field that easily scored Kobe Jiron, Bouet, and Hurtado. Howe cruised into third and then dashed home after an errant throw to third, completing the chaotic inside-the-park grand slam. 

Earlier in the same inning, Sanchez scored on a wild pitch, and Hensley was driven home by a Bouet double to right-center. 

Monte Vista advances to the next round of the CHSAA 2A state baseball tournament, which begins May 22 in Pueblo. The second-seeded Pirates will play No. 7 Peyton at 9:30 a.m. on May 22 at Andenucio Field at the Runyon Complex.

“Not done yet. We will see who we get in Pueblo next weekend,” Bradshaw said. “This group wants it all. Ready to take the next step. This is huge for us. I think we are built for the state tournament and the double elimination. We’ve got great depth. We are excited to get up there and compete.”